A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! I have to say, I'm very proud of this fic. Anyway… Enjoy! :-)

September 1st

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood on Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station, saying goodbye one last time.

"Bye, Ron, I'll miss you," Harry said as he gave Ron a great big hug. I'll write, I promise! Oh, and…" He leaned down and began fishing through his bag. After a moment, he pulled out a mirror. "Here," he said, handing it to Ron, "I repaired it. It's the two-way mirror Sirius gave me. Just say my name and I'll be there."

Ron smiled. "Thanks, mate!" he exclaimed. Harry grinned, waved, and began walking towards the train.

Hermione stayed behind, holding back tears. She and Ron stood there for a moment awkwardly, until Hermione threw her arms around Ron. "I'll miss you!" she said.

"I'll miss you too," Ron replied gruffly. Hermione pulled back and, without a moment's thought, gave him a quick kiss.

"Bye," she said, and followed Harry to the train.

"Where do you reckon we're supposed to sit?" Harry asked Hermione as they wandered the corridors of the now moving train

Hermione reached her hand out to steady herself, off balance because of the train's rattling, and said, "Oh, there's a compartment for professors. It's in the back."

Harry replied, "Oh. Well… I thought we could just sit with, you know, Luna. And Ginny and the others."

At this, Hermione stopped and turned around swiftly to face Harry. "Harry…" she said slowly. "You're a teacher. I know that in your eyes, one year separates you. One short year. I get it! But in the other professors' eyes, the younger students' eyes, and the headmistress's eyes… Well, Ginny is a student. And you're a teacher. A whole world separates you! You can't… you just can't have a relationship with her. It's not right."

Harry looked at Hermione, mouth slightly open. He had been afraid of this, that he would have to face the truth. He couldn't be with Ginny, at least not yet, and when he would be allowed to? That might be too late. Harry sighed and his shoulders drooped. "I just don't know if I can do this. Teaching? I'm not a teacher. I didn't even finish school, for crying out loud! I should just get off this train and join the Auror forces, like I'm supposed to."

Hermione put her hand out and placed it gently on Harry's shoulder. "No," she said softly, "You're supposed to be here. You are going to be a wonderful teacher. Just have faith in yourself."

They waited a moment, and Harry nodded. "Ok. Should we go?" He motioned towards the end of the hallway.

"Right! Yes, of course, come on, it's just this way," Hermione said, gaining her enthusiasm and excitement back. She started walking again and Harry followed her to the back of the train.

When they reached the professors' compartment, an interesting sight greeted them. The back wall of the room was just a large window, so you could see where the train had come from. Harry could just spot Platform 9¾ in the distance. The walls were draped with banners from all four houses, and the wall space above the door had a picture of a number of Hogwarts professors. Harry could tell that it had been taken in his third year, because Remus Lupin laughed and waved from the far right.

The compartment itself had barely enough room for another person, because the trolley filled with sweets and snacks took up most of the space. The plump woman who usually pushed the trolley sat behind it. She looked up when the two entered.

When she saw Harry eyeing a chocolate frog resting on top, she said, "Oh, dears, you're not supposed to be back here! I'll be up soon. You can have all the sweets you want then."

Harry smiled. "Oh, no, ma'am, we're… er, we're…"

Hermione interrupted. "I'm Hermione Granger, the new Muggle Studies professor. And Harry's the new DADA professor."

Harry raised his hand in a slight wave. "Hi," he said.

The trolley lady stood up and shook Harry's hand vigorously. "Harry Potter! What an honor. Oh, I've met you before, yes I have, but this is just marvelous! I'm so happy to actually meet you, really talk to you, I mean." She looked around, flustered, and said, "Better go push the cart! You know kids, always hungry…" She rolled the cart out of the room, and Harry and Hermione sat down in her place.

They greeted the remaining people sitting in the compartment.

"Professor Flitwick, Professor Slughorn." Hermione smiled.

"Oh, hello," Flitwick said, and went back to reading his book.

Slughorn, however, scooted over and sat right next to Harry. "Harry, m'boy, so good to see you! Congratulations on getting the job. And you too, my dear," motioning to Hermione. "And, I'm sure you're hearing this a lot lately," he said to Harry, "but thank you for… everything. Last year, I mean. You-Know-Who, defeated for good, I still don't believe it! And you'll not be forgetting that I was the one who gave you that memory, correct?"

Harry smiled politely. "Yes, sir."

Slughorn grinned. "Marvelous! Well, better get back to this," he pointed to a notebook he was holding. "I'm quite behind on my lesson planning." He turned and began scribbling in the notebook.

Hermione turned slowly towards her friend. "I've… I've tried to give you some space about this, Harry, but, have you planned anything yet? Any lessons at all? I've been working on my schedule for months. I haven't seen you do anything."

Harry looked down. "Oh. I sort of just planned to play it by ear. You know, run it like I did DA." He cringed, waiting for a reprimanding and a lecture.

Instead, Hermione sighed and said, "I suppose those worked, didn't they?" There was a pause, and they both laughed.

Harry replied with a chuckle, "I suppose they did…"